Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Have you ever wanted to do something but never dreamed it'd be possible? Singing with a live band is something that I have always wanted to do, but never in a million years did I think it'd ever be a possibility.Enter Live Band Karaoke.

The first time I went, I had fun, but it wasn't what I was expecting. I was thinking that everything would be with a live band, and most of the songs that were sung were with a track. I considered singing, but was too scared and no one would sing with me.Because it was fun, we wanted to go back and see it again. I mean, what's more enjoyable than listening to other people sing and sometimes make fools of themselves? The people-watching is EXCELLENT and provides a lot of entertainment.So Kylie, Brittany, and Aline and I went to 37 Main for dinner and then headed over for Live Band Karaoke. It was such a great night and as usual, I had a blast with these ladies. They always make me laugh and I always have a great time with them.

The waitress told us about their new app where for a one time $10 purchase, you get a free order of pickle chips each time you go to 37 Main, you get a complimentary shot ($7.50 value), and then $5 off cover charges for concerts, and other specials. I decided to get the app and I enjoyed a Lemonhead shot.

Aline said she'd sing as long as someone sang with her, so I said I'd sing whatever she wanted. We decided to sing Poison's"Talk Dirty to Me." When it was time to go up, I was a bit nervous, but had a little bit of liquid courage to keep me going. ;-)I could not believe that I was on a stage, and had a live band behind me. Incredible. We started to sing and could not hear anything (it was so LOUD). I couldn't see anyone, and only focused on the words, but it was fun.When we finished, everyone gave us high-fives and said we sounded great, however, I have no idea how we sounded because I couldn't hear myself. I mean, Simon, Paula, and Randy HAVE told me that I am an excellent singer, so I think I was somewhat in tune. ;-)It was so fun I wanted to go again, so I was able to convince Brittany to go up and sing with me. She was NOT going to sing, but she caved and without a drop of alcohol in her system, she sang Pat Bennetar's "I Love Rock and Roll" with me. It's not my favorite song, but it was fun to go up and sing again.I was supposed to sing, "Don't Stop Believing" but we left at midnight and they had not called us back up for that one.Here are some pictures:

Sunday, July 27, 2014

We weren't going to attempt night-time potty-training for a few more weeks, but we ran out of night-time diapers, and I decided we'd just see how it goes. I told Gus that if he woke up and needed to go potty, he could just go right into the bathroom and there'd be a light on in there for him (a night-light). I told him that the first thing that he needed to do when waking up was to go potty. He agreed.

This was all last week, and we haven't had one accident yet (knock on wood). He's been going potty in the middle of the night, and goes first thing in the morning. It's like his body was just ready for all this and it all finally clicked.

It's pretty awesome to not have to buy diapers for him anymore. It's a big thing to be fully potty trained, and I'm thankful that he was able to do it on his terms, and do it when he was ready. There were a lot of times when we tried and it wasn't time, and I'm glad we gave it a break and backed off until he was ready.Hugh has been showing interest in the potty, but isn't able to tell us that he has to go, and can't pull his pants down on his own yet. So for now, we just celebrate when he'll sit on the potty, and I'm patient and know that when he's really ready, it'll all come together and will be awesome. Just like it has been with Gus.I'm so proud of him.

I was asked by Atlanta Parent to go to a park that I had not been to yet, and to take pictures, videos, and do a write-up for their September edition.I posted on my MOMS Club® group and asked if anyone wanted to come check it out with me, and thankfully, my friends Ann and Brittany decided to meet me there.When I arrived in the parking lot, my immediate thought was, "Um... where's the playground?" The parking lot was empty and there was nothing around that looked like a playground was anywhere near. Ann and I looked at the map, and found that there was a play area behind the picnic pavilion. We headed over that way, and still didn't see a playground. As we entered the woods, by following the path, I saw three "pods" that resembled the play structure of the soft play area at the mall, but it wasn't soft, or padded, or in the mall. LOL.

We were in the woods, and it was pretty isolated. Ann and I agreed that there was a feeling of isolation that neither of us were 100% comfortable with. It's not the kind of place that you'd want to go to by yourself. Not that it's dangerous, it's just very isolated and if something were to happen and you needed help, good luck if you're alone. Also, someone could be a creeper in and be in the woods and you'd be no where near anyone else to hear you or help you.The kids had fun though, and they enjoyed being able to pretend and explore and let their imaginations take them on adventures in each pod. For that, I think this park is incredible and it's something I'd love to see more of!!

The log with a net to climb was a big hit

This was an enormous log that had a few windows

There was a mama bear to climb on (this is Ann)

And then two cubs to climb on too

Hugh inside the enormous log

Gus on the mama bear

Hugh climbing on a log in the middle pod

The middle pod had giant pine cones, big leaves, bugs, and sticks to climb on

An airplane was flying overhead

The final pod had giant acorns and then big rock formations

There were a lot of mosquitoes and we were not prepared-- we all got a few bites'

Back to the enormous log

It made for quite the adventure and I'm happy that I went and saw it for myself. I think I got some cute pictures from it too, so I was happy with that. :-)

My MOMS Club chapter was supposed to do a pizza lunch at our local Uncle Maddio's pizza place, but they're closed for renovations. So as a last minute thing, we were able to set up a tour of Jet's Pizza.

Jet's Pizza is a Michigan-based company, and when I eat it, it reminds me of home. We don't order from there often because it's a solid hour for them to make it and deliver it, and can be quite pricey. However, their salads are incredibly delicious, and I love their ranch dressing (which I found out on the tour, that it's made in house, from scratch).

The tour was great and then after the tour, we were treated to pizzas and cinnamon bread. Both Gus and Hugh had a great time, and both ate two pieces of pizza (which for them is a lot of food)!!

I decided to wear Hugh and not have to worry about him running all over

Gus with his two buddies, Gage and Garner

Let the tour begin!

Every morning they make the dough and then they let it sit and rise

The flour and the dough mixer

The big cooler where they keep the dough cool

Two different bins of flour mix-- because the bread cooks differently based on if it's a deep-dish or round pizza

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I'm Cathy and I'm a former elementary teacher turned SAHM. This blog has grown and evolved through the years to be my sounding board, then a place to share my thoughts, fears, and celebrations, and then where I post pictures and practice my photography skills. I blog about daily happenings. To read more about my family and how we're connected to open adoption, please follow our family blog: A Completed Family.